what is Pulse.It is the peripheral feeling of heart beat.Normally pulse is felt at wrist joint, but it can be felt at any point where artery passes superficially over a bony surface.
Deduction of pulse
- Rate of pulse
- Rhythm
- Character
- Volume
- Condition of arterial wall.
For nurse and doctor the rate of pulse is usually measured and recorded in chart.
- Physical activity: Especially strenuous work done by an individual make his heart beat faster. When a person is at rest or at sleep, the pulse rate is lower than when he is awake.
- Fear, excitement and anger increases pulse rate.
- Certain drugs can either increase or decrease pulse rate.
- Usually infections raise body temperature and pulse rate also increases in proportion to temperature. Normally for each 1 degree Fahrenheit rise of temperature pulse rises by 10 beats. At I00°F temperature pulse becomes 100/minute.
- Next for 1°F rise in temperature pulse becomes 110, for 120°F body temperature pulse should be around 120. This pulse temperature relation reverses in certain viral fevers and also in enteric fever. Such condition is known as ‘Relative Bradycardia’. In such fevers as the temperature increases the pulse relatively becomes slower.
- Volume of blood—When blood volume decreases due to blood loss or fluid loss may be due to haemorrhage, dehydration or severe bums etc., the pulse rate increases.
- Pressure of blood—When blood pressure falls due to some reason, pulse rate increases initially and when blood pressure increases or in hypertensive patient pulse rate remains slow.
- Non/inflammatory Diseases—Like thyrotoxicosis, heart diseases, pulse increases.
Every Medical Student Must Know What Is Pulse In Human Body
Normal pulse rate varies between 60 to 80 per minutes in adult. The variation in normal healthy person occurs in following conditions
- Age : It is slower in adult, still slower in old age. It is fast in children and still faster in lower age group of children may be 100-130 per minutes.
- Sex : It is lower in men 60-75 per minutes than in women 7t-85 per minute.
- Stature s Slower in tall persons than in short persons.
- Position : It is slower during rest and sleep. It is slower in sitting position than standing.
- Emotion : Anger, excitement, fear and during inter course pulse rate increases.
Rhythm of Pulse
The rhythm of pulse refers to time interval between the beats. A normal rhythm has the same time spacing between two beats. This is known as regular rhythm. If the spacing between two beats is not at regular interval then it is designated as irregular rhythm. The rhythm becomes irregular in certain heart diseases.
Character of Pulse : The character or form of pulse cannot be properly assessed by nursing staff. There are certain heart diseases where the character of pulse changes. The character of pulse can be designated as of small amplitude as in aortic stenosis great amplitude as in aortic incompetence or water hammer type or collapsing type.
Volume of pulse : This is the amplitude of movement of vessel wall during passage of blood or pulse wave. A pulse of large volume is found after physical exertion and in high fever. Pulse of small volume is sound in haemorrhage and dehydration.
Condition of Arterial Wall
This requires practice to assess condition of arterial wall by feeling pulse Sufficient pressure should be exerted to empty blood from vessel and then the vessel rolled under the finger over the bony surface.. In young persons arteries cannot be felt or are felt very soft. In older persons the arteries are easily felt as firm cord like structure. In disease like arteriosclerosis, arteries are felt hard or cord like.
Procedure of Counting Pulse
- It is always better to record pulse at different sites. Both radial and brachial pulse should be recorded.
- Do not give more pressure.
- Do not use thumb to feel pulse as the thumb has.puise ox us own and it will interfere in correct recording.
- Use three finger tips for feeling pulse—index, middle and ring-finger.
- Pulse is best felt when patient’s forearm is pronated and wrist slightly flexed.
- Put the patient at ease by explaining what you are going to do.
- The patient can sit or lie down.
- The forearm should be always supported on pillow or by your hand.
- Place three fingers over radial artery at lateral side above wrist joint.
- Record pulse for full one minute, never take for 15 seconds and multiplying by four.If apical and radial pulse are to be taken, put stethoscope over apex of heart and listen and count. If there is difference in apex beat and radial pulse, note it down. This is known as pulse deficit.
- On graph only rate is noted. In personal note-book other abnormalities if detected should be noted and informed to senior staff.
Here’s How to Calculate Normal Pulse Rate
A normal pulse indicates the frequency of arteries (clean blood vessels) to expand and contract in one minute in response to the heartbeat. Through the pulse, you can also find out your heart rate, heart rhythm, and heart strength.That’s why knowing a normal pulse rate can tell you whether the heart organ is working well. Well, here are the normal pulse rates you need to know.
Normal Pulse Rate per Minute
Each person’s pulse rate will vary. This depends on several factors that can affect it.In general, the following are the normal number of pulse beats per minute according to age:
- Infants up to 1 year of age: 100-160 times per minute.
- Children aged 1-10 years: 70-120 times per minute.
- Children aged 11-17 years: 60-100 times per minute.
- Adults: 60-100 times per minute.
Normal pulse rates in infants and children tend to be higher than in adults.
This is because babies and children need more blood supply, so the heart has to work harder and beat faster to meet these needs.
However, this heart rate can also change, depending on the physical activity and health condition of the baby and child.
For example, a child who is very active, in pain, has a fever, or is dehydrated may show an increased pulse rate.
In addition, the normal pulse rate of adults aged 20-35 years when exercising is around 95 to 170 times per minute. Then, for ages 35 to 50 years between 85 to 155 times per minute.
Lastly, those over 60 years old have a heart rate between 80 and 130 beats per minute.
To be clearer about heart rate, you can read the article What is a Normal Heart Rate Based on Age?
How to Calculate Normal Pulse Rate?
Normal pulse measurements can be taken at several points in the body, such as the wrist, the inside of the elbow, and the lower side of the neck.
From all these points, you can more easily find the pulse on your wrist.
Here’s how to measure a normal pulse rate via the wrist:
- Rotate the wrist, so that the palm faces up.
- Place your index and middle fingers on the inside of your wrist where the artery passes. Press there until you feel a pulse. If you are measuring on the inside of your elbow or neck, place both fingers and press until you find a pulse.
- Count your pulse for 60 seconds. Or, you can count your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get your pulse per minute. You can repeat your pulse measurement if you are not sure about the results.
Pulse Rate and Arrhythmia Risk
A normal pulse can also be a picture of your heart rate. Therefore, a pulse that is too slow or too fast needs to be watched out for.
Because, this condition can indicate a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as arrhythmia .
Don’t hesitate to immediately consult a doctor at Halodoc ✔️ if you experience an abnormal pulse for a long time, so that appropriate early treatment can be carried out.
Arrhythmia is a problem with the heart rhythm when the organ beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
Well, here are some types of arrhythmia that you need to be aware of:
- Bradycardia,which is a condition where the heart beats more slowly or irregularly.
- Heart block,a condition where the heart beats slower and can cause a person to faint.
- Supraventricular tachycardia,which is a condition where the heart beats abnormally fast.
- Atrial fibrillation,a condition where the heart beats very fast even when resting.
- Ventricular fibrillation, a condition where the heart beats too fast and irregularly. In severe cases, this condition can cause loss of consciousness or sudden death.
Arrhythmia can happen to anyone, both men and women.
However, there are several factors that can increase the risk of this health problem, such as:
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Thyroid problems.
- There is a history of heart disease.
- Having a heart valve disorder.
- Unhealthy lifestyle and eating patterns.
- Electrolyte problems in the body.
- Currently in the recovery phase after undergoing heart surgery.
Still unfamiliar with bradypnea which causes the breathing rate to slow down? Read more in this article: “ Getting to Know Bradypnea: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Prevent It “.
How to Maintain a Normal Pulse
To ensure a normal pulse, of course you have to know how to properly maintain it.
Here are some things you can try:
- Maintain ideal body weight
It is true that ideal body weight can help maintain a normal pulse rate.
This is because, the heavier a person’s body, of course the burden on the body when flowing blood becomes greater. Especially if you do not have sufficient muscle mass.
- Regular exercise
You can also maintain a normal pulse rate by exercising regularly.
Because, an excessive heart rate can occur due to an unhealthy lifestyle, one of which is a lack of physical activity.
So, start doing regular exercise, which is about 150 minutes every week.
While for heavy activities, it should not be more than 75 minutes each week. Don’t forget, Always Check Your Pulse When Exercising .
- Control stress
Excessive anxiety can make your heart beat faster. Therefore, you should be able to control stress properly so that your pulse remains stable.
This can be done through meditation or breathing exercises.
- Implement a balanced diet
Eat healthy foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and excessive salt.
A balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight and support heart health.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
If you smoke, consider quitting. Smoking can damage blood vessels and cause an increased heart rate, which can increase the risk of heart problems.
You also need to limit alcohol or avoid it altogether. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause increased heart rate and other health problems.
- Get enough sleep and avoid caffeine
Try to get enough sleep every night. Lack of sleep can affect your heart rate and overall heart health.
Limit your caffeine intake, especially if you are sensitive to it. Caffeine can increase your heart rate.
- Regularly check yourself
You should also get regular checkups. This will help detect and treat health problems that can affect your pulse.
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